Rare books from GJim.com

George Wingate entered the Civil War as a private in the New York State Guard. He soon discovered that the militia had very poor shooting skills, and devoted himself to correcting that failing. By the end of the war he had been promoted to Captain, and was recognized as a leading expert on marksmanship training. William Conant Church was the editor of the Army and Navy Journal. After the war he recognized Wingate's expertise and asked him to write a series of articles on marksmanship and rifle training which he published in the Journal.
These articles were immediately widely and highly acclaimed. Church and Wingate decided an organization was needed to facilitate the spread of this knowledge, and together founded The National Rifle Association. The articles from the Army and Navy Journal were collected, and along with additional material were published in 1872 as "Manual for Rifle Practice".
Wingate makes reference following the Preface that this is the Second… Read More

First Edition. An early mystery by Dunning published originally in paperback and here issued in hardcover for the first time in America in an edition of 200 numbered and signed copies as well as a trade edition. This, however, is one of only two ORIGINAL BLUES COPIES consisting of eight loose prebound gathers, sometimes called a "check copy before publication." It is sent from the printer to the publisher before a book is printed so the publisher has the opportunity to see the layout of the book before it is bound and published. If the publisher is happy with the layout, the printer will print from one of the two blues copy. This is THE PUBLISHER'S COPY from which the book was printed, the other copy belonging to the author. This copy is also SIGNED by the author on the title page. Obviously an extremely scarce state of this book. Fine in a specially made cloth slipcase.